Save the Rio Maranon

The damming of the Upper Amazon is currently THE MOST IMPORTANT RIVER CONSERVATION ISSUE IN THE WORLD but few know about it - it needs to be publicized. 

The Rio Maranon, a 400 mile stretch of unprotected river basin in the Peruvian Andes is slated to be choked by 81 dams, with construction starting in 2014. These dams are being sold as development to benefit the indigenous people, but history has shown these mega-dams to benefit only the dam construction companies and corrupt officials.

For a very short time, we still have the opportunity to do what David Brower did for The Grand Canyon in 1967 - save one of the last long, wild rivers in the world from devastation. This will likely be the greatest river conservation opportunity of our generation, of my lifetime. This is the last chance for this river. 

With enough opposition letters and support, we can stop this tragedy in the works - but TIME IS RUNNING OUT!!!  Please get the word out and donate if you can.

Here is my plan to save this river:

1. Get the word out to every person I know via Facebook, Twitter, email and my phone.
2. Get as many people as possible to sign the petition to the President of Peru on Care2.org and Causes.com.
3. Create blog as a central source of information.
4. Create local fundraising events at climbing gym, pub crawl, bike race, etc.
5. Help produce documentary showing people what they can do to save this river and why they should.
6. Fundraising for SierraRios to produce related media - photos, flyers, pamphlets, etc. - through Rally.org and Paypal.
7. Travel on an expedition to document the unique features of the river (including ancient Incan archaeological sites, natural hot springs, and class IV whitewater), train local guides, educate native populations about their internationally protected right to oppose the dams.
8. Come home and share the significance and importance of protecting one of the few remaining free-flowing rivers on this planet with slide shows.
9. Repeat.

I need help.  Ask me if you want to get involved.  Tell me if you have ideas, I've never done this before!

Passion and Commitment

If you're going to try, go all the way. Otherwise, don't even start. This could mean losing girlfriends, wives, relatives and maybe even your mind. It could mean not eating for three or four days. It could mean freezing on a park bench. It could mean jail. It could mean derision. It could mean mockery--isolation. Isolation is the gift. All the others are a test of your endurance, of how much you really want to do it. And, you'll do it, despite rejection and the worst odds. And it will be better than anything else you can imagine. If you're going to try, go all the way. There is no other feeling like that. You will be alone with the gods, and the nights will flame with fire. You will ride life straight to perfect laughter. It's the only good fight there is.

Charles Bukowski